VILLAGERS are losing their bobbies because increased counter-terrorist investigations in Cheshire are putting strain on other teams.

Two officers based at Mickle Trafford police station are being moved from Western Rural Community Action Team, to boost traffic patrol teams in the Chester division.

Western Rural Inspector Phil Hodgson said there is a shortage in front-line traffic officers because many of them have been moved to counter-terrorist investigations within the county.

It is not known when CAT officers will be replaced so existing officers are expanding beats to cover the extra areas.

One of the departing officers, PC Andy Wilson, only took up his post in Mollington, Backford, Ledsham and Capen-hurst a month ago.

He was the fourth officer to cover the area this year and the beat will now be covered by Waverton and Christleton PC Neil Busby.

PC Rob Fisher is leaving the Kelsall, Ashton Hayes, Delamere, Utkinton and Oakmere beat, which will now be covered by Tarvin PC Vaughan Marks.

Insp Hodgson said: 'I know this isn't going to be a popular decision, it has been thrust on me from above and there is nothing we could do about it.

'Since 9/11 and 7/7 every constabulary has had to look at its counter-terrorism capabilities and the manpower has to come from somewhere.

'This is a real threat. Some of the investigations into terrorist activity mentioned by the head of MI5 last week are going on in the force area and we have to have trained firearms officers and special branch officers to do re-search and intelligence.

'I worked the Warrington bomb in 1993 and we were so ill-prepared for it, since 7/7 we need to have that capability and it couldn't have been foreseen.'

Six other officers are being taken from neighbourhood policing units in Chester Outer, Winsford and Ellesmere Port areas.

He added: 'When extra officers become available we will prioritise these areas. We will not be taking PCs away from parish councils who have paid for Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

'I have written to various big companies in the area asking if they would consider helping the community by funding a PCSO.'